Track-instrument



(No Model.)

H. D. WINTON. TRACK INSTRUMENT.

Patented May 12,1385.

ATTORNEYS N. PETERSy Plzn UNITED STATns arnnrr OFFICE.

HENRY D. WINTON, OFYWELLESLEY HILLS, MASSACHUSETTS.

TRACK-INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,910, dated May l2, 21885.

Application tiled March 20, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY D. IVINTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at IVellesley Hills, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in TrackInstruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is intended as an improvement on the circuit-closer for railroad -sgnals described in Letters Patent No. 143,935, granted to G. H. Snow, October 21, 1873, and the object of this improvement is to secure a uniform action of the above-named circuitcloser, and to render the same available in such cases where the circuit-closer is to be actuated only by trains passing over the track in one direction, and not to be actuated by trains passing in the opposite direction.

In theaccompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan or top View. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section in the plane xx, Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section in the plane y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section in the plane z c, Fig. 2.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

'In the drawings, the letter A designates a rocleshaft, which extends in a direction transversely to the railroad-track B. Said rock-shaft has its bearings in a box, G, and in a hollow standard, D, and it is provided with a tappet, a, which is situated close to the track B and rises above the level of the same, as shown in Fig. 2. On the rock-shaft is secured a cup, F, which supports a rubber cushion, E, Figs. 2 and 4, said cushion being retained in the cup by a traverse, G, secured to uprights H. When the rock shaft is turned in its bearings in either direction, the cushion E is compressed, and as soon as the rock-shaft is released the cushion expands and compels the rock-shaft to return to its normal position.

Inside of the hollow standard D is situated a lever, I, which is firmly mounted on the rockshaft A, and which, when said rock-shaft is in its normal position, rests upon a rubber cushion, J. Y In the hollow standard is fitted a vertical rod, K, and if this rod is forced up it acts upon a circuit-closing spring, L, Figs. 1 and 2. Y

On the rod K is mounteda piston, M, which works in an air-cylinder, N, so that if the rod K is lifted an air-cushion is formed beneath the piston M, and the spring L is retained in its closing (or opening) position during the i time required by the air to escape from beneath the piston through a small channel, n, Fig. 2. W'hen a train passes the rock-shaft A in the direction of the arrow marked between the rails B B in Fig. 1 the lever I acts upon the rod K and lifts the same up, so asto act upon the spring L; but if the train passes in the opposite direction, theleverI is depressed upon the cushion J, and the rod K is not actuated.

It will be readily understood from the above description that the action of the rock-shaft is not liable to be interrupted by ice or other impurities, and that when the wheels of a passing train strike the tappet a the rock-shaft is turned gradually, so that the rod K is not exposed to a sudden blow; butitis lifted gradually by the lever I, so that a uniform action is produced on the spring L. Furthermore, the rubber cushion E, which serves to return the rock-shaft to its normal position, is not liable to be destroyed by the corroding influences of the atmosphere, and an apparatus is obtained which is durable, and not liable to get out of order. A

What I .claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, with the rod K and the circuit-closing spring L, of the rcck-shaft A, arranged Vto rotate on its axis transversely to a railroad track, the tappet c,1nounted on one end of this shaft next to the track, and the lever I, mounted on the opposite end of said shaft in position to act upon the rod K.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, with the rod K and the circuit-closing spring L, of the rock-shaft A, arranged to rotate on its axis transversely to the track, the tappet a, mounted on one end of this shaft next to the track, the lever I, mounted on the opposite end of said shaft in position to act upon the rod K, the cup F, secured to the rock-shaft, and the elastic cushion E, secured in this cup by the traverse G and uprights H.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two subscrib ing witnesses.

HENRY D. VVINTON. [L s] IOO 

